Doncaster Rovers: My philosophy has never changed - Dickov

Paul Dickov

Paul Goodwin

Published:06:00Thursday 13 November 2014

Rovers have been more durable and dogged in their last two games - but Paul Dickov insists his football philosophy has not changed.

The hard earned point against MK Dons and battling win at Bradford might suggest that Dickov has relaxed his desire to see his team play neat passing football in favour of a more physical, feisty approach.

That more combative style served Rovers well during their last season in League One. But Dickov insists his football mantra remains the same: win the battle first, then let your football do the talking.

“My philosophy has never changed,” said Dickov.

“I’ve always said to the players - and maybe it’s something I’ve not said as much in interviews - that in the first 20 minutes of every game, you’ve got to fight for the right to play football.

“You can’t expect to go out there from kick off and string 30 passes together, especially in this league.

“We’ve seen it in fits and starts. But the last two games we’ve done it consistently.

“And if you fight for that right to play your football, there’ll come a point in the game when you can do that.

“It might take 60 minutes for that to happen. But with the players we’ve got in the team, football-wise we believe we’re a match for anyone in this division.

“It’s the other side of it we have to match first - and then we think our greater ability will show through.”